Al Jefferson back for one more season

Jefferson made it rather clears during season exit interviews in April that he would return for next season. “Unfinished business” and “losing 25-pounds” were some of the headline quotes that Big Al stated in his desire to wear a Hornets uniform again in 2015-’16.

Next season will most likely be Jefferson’s last in a Hornets uniform. In the summer of ’16 he will officially become an unrestricted free-agent. With a solid campaign next season there is a good chance that Big Al will secure one more long-term deal right when the salary-cap will soar due to the new TV deal. It’s unlikely that the Hornets would be one of the serious contenders to sign him to another long-term deal unless Jefferson returns to his ’13-’14 form, Charlotte manufactures a dream season, and Jefferson plays the role of the chief orchestrator.

Al Jefferson played 73 games in ’13-’14, while averaging 22 PPG & 11 RPG and earning All-NBA Third Team honors. Last season Jefferson only played 65 games, about five less minutes per game than ’13-’14, and averaged 16.5 PPG & 8.5 RPG. He was a shell of himself from the season before and never appeared to be fully healthy after suffering a plantar-fascia injury in the ’13-’14 playoffs.

In the first season of the Al Jefferson era, it appeared as if Rich Cho had struck gold and Charlotte had finally landed a cornerstone player to help them consistently be a playoff team. Last season, the reality of Jefferson’s age and injury-prone history slapped Charlotte fans in the face. Overall, Big Al has been a positive upswing for the Bobcats/Hornets and undoubtedly the best front-court player in franchise history. This roster still has playoff potential for ’15-’16, and it all begins with Al Jefferson.